Hanoi - the capital city of Vietnam - is a very important political, cultural, and tourism center of Vietnam. Hanoi is a long-lasting capital, which has just celebrated its 1000 years old last 2010. Hanoi is located on both sides of Red River, and it is 1760 km far from Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi lies in the Red River delta in the Northern Plains. Hanoi has a long history with many cultural works of architecture and famous historical sites. Hanoi is the most attractive destination for foreign tourists due to its ancient appearance, contemplation, elegance and beauty hidden in the city of thousand years of civilization.
When to go?
Hanoi has the typical climate of the North which is tropical monsoon climate, hot and humid, and rainy in the summer; rain, cold, and dry in the winter. From May to September, it is hot and rainy season; from November to March of the following years, it is winter which is dry and sometimes really cold.
The most suitable time to travel to Hanoi is Autumn, from the beginning of September until the end of November. At this time, the weather is cool; there is little sunshine, and sometimes there is light rain which make the weather cooler. The Autumn of Hanoi has been written a lot in many poems, songs, and works.
Where to go ?
Being a city of long-lasting history and rich traditional and culture, Hanoi is one of the most attractive cities in Vietnam for the travelers all around the world.
Literature University (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam)
Among the attractions in this capital city is Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Literature University) - the first university of Vietnam. This is also a place worshiping Khong Tu (Confucius), and many memorial stele of first doctoral candidates of Vietnam. Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is located on Ton Duc Thang street - Nguyen Thai Hoc street.
Being the center of Buddhism, Taoism in Vietnam for centuries, Hanoi has many hundred-year-old temples and pagodas. Although undergoing many changes, they are still remaining the ancient features. Among those temples, Tran Quoc pagoda is the oldest, which was built under period of King Ly Nam De (6th century). Another symbol of Hanoi is One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot), which has the mot unique architecture in Vietnam with lotus shape. In addition, at the heart of the city, in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, there is Ngoc Son Temple.
One Pillar Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda
From 19th century, there were many churches built in Hanoi; among them St Joseph's Cathedral (or Big Church of Hanoi) is famous for the typical French style architecture. The cathedral is located at Hoan Kiem district, on Nha Tho - Nha Chung street.
St Joseph's Cathedral
Coming to Hanoi, you should not miss the Old Quarter - a special attractions of Hanoi. All the streets in the Old Quarter are kept the beauty and ancientness of 19th-century Hanoi. Tourists coming to Hanoi can wander all day around these streets, discovering every small lanes inside the Old Quarter, and feel the life-styles of the Hanoiians.
Ba Dinh Square is also the place you should not miss. It is the political center of Vietnam with National Assembly House, the Presidency Palace, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where preserving Ho Chi Minh body, who read the Declaration of Independence at this square.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
From 01.08.2008, after the merger with Ha Tay, Hanoi has had more tourism sightseeing of the old Ha Tay such as: Ba Vi National Park, Ao Vu, Khoang Xanh, Ha stream, Dong Mo, Thien Son - Suoi Nga, Suoi Ngoc - Vua Ba, Bang Ta, Dam Long, Quan Son, Dong Xuong, Van Son, Ngo Quyen royal tomb, Phung Hung royal tomb, Son Tay citadel, Chu Dong Tu festival, Huong pagoda, etc.
Hanoi also has the most biggest sport centers and other important sport works in Vietnam. One of them is My Dinh National Stadium with the capacity of 40,192 seats. The stadium also attracts many tourists to come and visit. It is located in the United Nation Sport Center.
Tourists should also visit Hanoi Opera House, which was built by the French and is now lying on Trang Tien street. This is one of the biggest cultural centers of Hanoi, in which many cultural activities are often held. It is also the center for important conferences and meetings.
Big Opera House
Hanoi is the city which has diversified museum system in Vietnam, totaling more than 10 museums. The major are historical museums such as: Museum of Vietnam Ethnology, Museum of Military History, Vietnam History Museum, B52 Victory Museum, Museum of Revolution, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Vietnam Women Museum, etc.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Hanoi is also special because of many lakes within the city; and the city is also surrounded by rivers. The most famous lake is Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake), which is located at the city center. There are many big events held around here such as fireworks or other performances. This is also the place which many young people and tourists like to come.
Hoan Kiem Lake - Sword Lake
Another famous lake is West Lake which is in the west of Hanoi. West Lake is the biggest lake in Hanoi. Although many young people come here everyday, the lake seems to be peaceful. In addition, you should watch the sunset in West Lake; it is really beautiful and romantic.
If you go to Hanoi in the summer, you can go to the Water Park in Tay Ho District. The park is 35,560 m², and is divided into 5 well-equipped areas. Besides, there are many other parks within the city center such as Thong Nhat Park, Thu Le Zoo, Tuoi Tre park, Bach Thao park, etc.
Water Park
Hanoi has many famous traditional trade villages like Bat Trang Pottery Village, Ngu Xa village, Yen Phu village, etc, where keeping the traditional features of the country.
Bat Trang Pottery Village
While traveling around Hanoi, besides visiting some famous sightseeing places, you should not miss the traditional festivals occurring during the time you are here. Most of the festivals are held in Spring, and most of them are festival to commemorate the historical people such as Thanh Giong, Hai Ba Trung, Quang Trung, An Duong Vuong.
How to go?
Noi Bai international airport is the biggest airport in the North of Vietnam. This is the second largest airport of Vietnam at the moment, after Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Noi Bai airport is 45 km far from the center of Hanoi.
There are many airlines have flight routes to this airport such as Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Eva Air, Hongkong airlines, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, Aeroflot, etc. For the domestic flight, you can consider cheap flights of Jetstar Pacific Airline.
When moving around Hanoi, you can use public transportation means such as bus, taxi, motorbike, rented car. You can try cyclo with lower prices but having more time to enjoy Hanoi streets. If you live in Hanoi for longer time, you can rent a motorbike or bike in some renting store around the Old Quarter.
Price
The price for everything in Hanoi is the same with Ho Chi Minh city, sometimes it is lower. The price for big and luxurious hotel in Hanoi is around 200 USD / night or more, and the lowest price is 15 USD / night. Rooms in hostels are cheaper, around 8 - 10 USD / night. If you want to find a cheap price hostel, you can search it around the Old Quarter.
In the peak season, you should book the room 2 - 3 months before you travel because if you book it too close to your traveling time, the price will be higher. If you want to stay in the big hotel, you should book through travel agents, the price will be much lower than yours if you book directly to the hotel.
Something you should pay attention
- If you travel to Hanoi in the summer, you should wear compact summer clothes because the weather will be very hot. On contrary, if you come to Hanoi in the winter, you should wear thick jacket because the weather will be wet and cold.
- When you visits Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and other temples and pagodas, you should wear politely, you should not wear skirts and shorts.
- The roads in the Old Quarter are quite small and narrow, you should prepare a map.
- When going shopping in the market, you should bargain. The sellers in Hanoi are sometimes impolite, therefore, if you intend to see not to buy, you should go in the afternoon. When bargaining, do not bargain too hard, you should bargain once; even if you do not buy that things, you should go with a smile and say thank you to the sellers.
- After 11 PM, you should not walk around alone.
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